The arrival of Sinterklaas to The Netherlands in three photos
In order to “fend off” accusations of racism, the official ceremony to mark the arrival of Sinterklaas had the addition of “Spanish noblemen”. In the first photo you can see the “Saint” by horse with his Blackface servants by foot and, in the background, some “figures” also riding by horse, like the Saint. Close up in the second photo, you can see the “Spanish noblemen” who, unlike the Blackface servant, get to ride horses high. In the third photo, you see the “Spanish noblemen” are “played” by white, Dutch women.
Yes, the way to make this festivity less racist is by having white women ride in horses along the Saint while the Blackface servant walks around helping them all with their horses.
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